TRADERS today claimed business could be ruined by Blackburn's own "Berlin Wall" if plans for a £15million shopping centre revamp are approved.

They spoke out as it was revealed London-based Reit Asset Management's scheme will leave proposed new shops without any individual entrances on to Church Street.

And today Reit, the shopping centre owners, said they were willing to listen to people's concerns and are to meet officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council tomorrow to discuss concerns.

The shopping centre plans include five large shop units, similar in size to the nearby TJ Hughes store, being used to fill in Lord Square.

The move to improve the square followed a campaign for action by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Existing units such as the former Army and Navy store and Yates Wine Lodge will be demolished and replaced with glass and aluminium cladded stores facing the Church Street pavilions.

Planned entrances to the shopping centre include the existing access from Church Street into Lord Square, a new Ainsworth Street entrance and a glass covered Lord Square mall.

Pub and club supremo Margot Grimshaw said the council's vision of turning Church Street into a bustling and vibrant shopping street would be seriously dented if the new, large shops did not have prominent entrances on to Church Street.

Margot said: "We have no high street and Church Street is our only hope.

"This 'Berlin Wall' is going to cut the town in half, and will affect local businesses from Fleming Square to the new Pavilions as there will be no footfall."

Jeff Stone, who has a hairdressers in Fleming Square, added: "The council has spent £2.5 million on Church Street now they are shutting it off from the rest of the town. These plans need to be changed which is why we have taken this stand."

The plans, submitted earlier this month, have also raised concerns at the council.

Work is due to start in the summer but Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, said: "The council was concerned about that aspect of the plans and is due to meet Reit representatives."

Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade have already expressed their concerns in an executive meeting stating that Church Street could become a £2.5 million "white elephant" as a result.

Shopping centre manager Arnold Wilcox-Wood said it was unlikely prospective major retailers would want to have two entrances in their new stores for fear of shoplifting and security.

A spokesman for Reit said: "People have a right to make representations and it is really up to planners to listen to those. We are going to be responsive wherever possible."